# Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34 (BNR34))
Source: https://fullysorted.com/research/models/nissan/skyline-gt-r-r34
Publisher: Fully Sorted (fullysorted.com), collector car research
Last updated: 2026-09-16

## Key facts
- Make: Nissan
- Model: Skyline GT-R
- Generation: R34 (BNR34)
- Factory code: BNR34
- Years: 1999 to 2002
- Body styles: Coupe
- Engines: RB26DETT 2.6L (2568cc) twin-turbo DOHC 24v inline-six, 3.4 in (86.0 mm) bore x 73.7mm stroke, individual throttle bodies, ceramic ball-bearing turbochargers; officially rated 276 hp at 6800 rpm and 289 lb-ft at 4400 rpm
- Production total: 11,578
- Production notes: Widely cited total of roughly 11,577-11,578 BNR34 coupes built between January 1999 and August 2002 (sources vary by one or two units). Registry figures by variant: base/Normal ~3,977; V-Spec ~4,192; V-Spec N1 ~38; V-Spec II ~1,855; V-Spec II N1 ~18; M-Spec ~366; V-Spec II Nur ~717; M-Spec Nur ~285. The Nur editions (Series 2, 2002) total roughly 1,000-1,003 combined. The later Nismo Z-tune was a separate limited program (approx. 19-20 cars) built from used V-Spec II donor cars circa 2003-2005, not part of the original BNR34 count.

## Summary
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 (chassis code BNR34), built from January 1999 to August 2002, is the final and most revered of the Skyline-based GT-Rs before the standalone R35. It pairs the legendary RB26DETT 2.6-liter twin-turbo straight-six with ATTESA E-TS torque-split all-wheel drive and Super-HICAS four-wheel steering. Officially rated at just 276 hp under a Japanese industry 'gentleman's agreement', its true output was widely understood to be higher, and the platform was famously tunable. A tighter, shorter-wheelbase body and a Getrag six-speed sharpened it over the R33. Variants ran from the base car through V-Spec, V-Spec II, M-Spec and the 2002 Nur send-off editions, topped by the later Nismo Z-tune. Immortalized by Gran Turismo, Best Motoring and the Fast & Furious films, and long forbidden fruit in the US, the R34 became a JDM grail whose values climbed sharply as it approached 25-year US import eligibility from 2024 onward.

## Specifications
- engine: RB26DETT 2.6L twin-turbo DOHC inline-six
- torque: 289 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
- steering: Super-HICAS four-wheel steering
- topSpeed: 156 mph (electronically limited)
- drivetrain: ATTESA E-TS / E-TS Pro all-wheel drive
- curb_weight: ~3,395 lb (standard)
- displacement: 2568 cc
- transmission: Getrag V160 6-speed manual
- powerOfficial: 276 hp @ 6800 rpm
- zeroToSixtyTwo: ~4.9-5.4 sec (0-62 mph)

## Notable variants
- V-Spec: Series 1 performance variant with ATTESA E-TS Pro AWD (active electronic LSD), stiffer suspension, added aero and diffuser; the most common R34 GT-R at ~4,192 units.
- V-Spec II: Series 2 update (2000-02) with a carbon-fiber hood with NACA duct and revised aero; ~1,855 built.
- M-Spec: Series 2 grand-tourer spec (2001-02) with softer Ripple Control dampers, stiffer rear bar and heated leather; ~366 built. Named after Nissan engineer Kozo Mizuno.
- V-Spec II Nur / M-Spec Nur: 2002 send-off editions named for the Nurburgring, fitted with the N1-derived engine block, gold cam covers and a 186 mph speedometer; ~717 and ~285 built respectively.
- Nismo Z-tune: Ultra-rare Nismo-built halo car (circa 2005) using a 2.8L RB28 development of the RB26 producing ~493 hp; built from a small number (approx. 19-20) of low-mileage used V-Spec II donor cars. Among the most valuable Japanese cars.

## History

### Origins
Launched in January 1999, the BNR34 was the last GT-R built on the Skyline platform. Nissan shortened the wheelbase versus the R33, stiffened the body and fitted a new Getrag V160 six-speed manual in place of the previous five-speed, alongside a multifunction dash display that showed live turbo boost, oil and water temperatures.

### Engine and Drivetrain
The carry-over RB26DETT was a 2568cc twin-turbocharged DOHC straight-six with individual throttle bodies and, on the R34, more durable ceramic ball-bearing turbos. Officially it produced 276 hp, the ceiling set by a Japanese manufacturers' 'gentleman's agreement'; real-world output was generally accepted to be higher, and the engine's iron block made it a tuner favorite capable of far greater figures. Power went through ATTESA E-TS (E-TS Pro on V-Spec cars, with an active electronic limited-slip differential) that could shuffle torque rearward or to all four wheels, while Super-HICAS provided rear-wheel steering.

### Variants
Series 1 (1999-2000) offered the base GT-R, the harder-edged V-Spec with uprated aero and the E-TS Pro system, plus homologation-focused V-Spec N1 cars. Series 2 (2000-2002) brought the V-Spec II with a carbon hood, the touring-oriented M-Spec with softer damping and leather, and finally the 2002 V-Spec II Nur and M-Spec Nur editions, named for the Nurburgring and fitted with the stronger N1 engine block and a 186 mph speedometer.

### Nismo Z-tune
After production ended, Nismo built the extremely limited Z-tune (circa 2005), taking a small number of low-mileage used V-Spec II cars and installing a 2.8-liter RB28 engine of roughly 493 hp with comprehensive chassis upgrades, creating one of the most valuable Japanese performance cars ever.

### Cultural Legacy
The R34 became a global icon through the Gran Turismo games, Japanese Best Motoring videos, tuning magazines and the Fast & Furious franchise. Because it was never federally sold in the US and remained illegal to import for years, it gained mythic 'forbidden fruit' status among enthusiasts.

## What to look for

Verify matching numbers and documented service history, especially on the RB26 (timing belt replacement records, no signs of a blown or hastily rebuilt engine). Inspect carefully for rust at the rear wheel arches, rocker panels, strut towers and underbody. Confirm variant authenticity (V-Spec, Nur, N1, Z-tune) against build records, as badges and trim can be swapped. Scrutinize the quality of any modifications, as many cars were heavily tuned; original, unmolested examples carry a premium. For US buyers, confirm the car's individual build month qualifies under the 25-year rule and that import/registration paperwork is in order.

## Common problems

RB26DETT engines demand meticulous maintenance; a neglected or over-boosted example risks expensive damage, and timing belt failure can be catastrophic. Parts sourcing can be difficult and costly given Japan-only production. Rust is a real concern on cars that saw wet climates. Poor-quality aftermarket modifications, worn Getrag synchros, and tired ATTESA/HICAS components are worth checking. Provenance and originality are frequently muddied by decades of enthusiast ownership and tuning.

## Market notes

As of mid-2025, clean standard and V-Spec R34 GT-Rs typically transact in roughly the $130,000-$170,000 range, with the best low-mileage examples exceeding $200,000, per Hagerty's buyer's guide. Rarer N1 and Nur cars command $250,000 and up, and standout Nismo cars go far higher (a Nismo Clubman Race Spec reportedly sold for $692,500 in August 2025). A genuine Nismo Z-tune is estimated well into seven figures. Prices firmed as US 25-year import eligibility opened in 2024 and demand from the world's largest car market entered the picture; commentators have also noted potential upward pressure from US import tariffs on Japanese vehicles.

## Value trajectory

R34 GT-R values rose steadily through the late 2010s and accelerated as the car neared US legality. With rolling 25-year import eligibility beginning in January 2024 (each car qualifying on the 25th anniversary of its build month, so 1999 cars through 2024 and later-build cars into 2025-2027), the largest untapped market opened up, reinforcing strong demand. Combined with fixed, low production, deep pop-culture cachet and JDM-grail status, the trajectory has been firmly upward, with the rarest Nur and Nismo variants leading the appreciation.

## Sources

- [Your Handy 1999-2002 R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R Buyer's Guide](https://www.hagerty.com/media/market-trends/hagerty-insider/your-handy-1999-2002-r34-nissan-skyline-gt-r-buyers-guide/) (Hagerty)
- [Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Specifications and Production Information](https://www.gtrusablog.com/2010/02/nissan-skyline-gt-r-r34-production.html) (Skyline GTR USA)
- [Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R Guide](https://supercarnostalgia.com/blog/nissan-r34-skyline-gt-r) (Supercar Nostalgia)
- [Brace Yourselves: R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs Become Legal to Import Next Year](https://www.thedrive.com/news/brace-yourselves-r34-nissan-skyline-gt-rs-become-legal-to-import-next-year) (The Drive)

Cite as: Fully Sorted, "Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34 (BNR34))", https://fullysorted.com/research/models/nissan/skyline-gt-r-r34, updated 2026-09-16.